Murder convict William Nkuna on Thursday said politicians had influenced the judgement which found him guilty of missing Constable Frances Rasuge’s murder.
Nkuna was pronounced guilty by Judge Ronald Hendricks in the GaRankuwa Circuit Court.
”Politicians who attended this trial and spoke about it, influenced the judgement,” Nkuna said as he was hauled away to the cells.
North West Province Premier Edna Molewa has attended the trial since Monday and Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka were among politicians who attended a mass prayer service before the trial was to have started earlier this year.
Nkuna is to be sentenced on November 14.
”This court is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt on the proven facts before us that the only reasonable inference is that Rasuge is dead,” Hendricks said while handing down judgement before a packed courtroom.
He said the court was satisfied the prosecution had proved its case that Nkuna had killed Rasuge.
Nkuna’s evidence, as the sole defence witness, was rejected in as much as his account differed from that of the state.
Hendricks described Nkuna as a ”blatant, pathetic liar” who contradicted himself many times while giving evidence.
State advocate Johann Smit had attempted to prove through circumstantial evidence that Nkuna and Rasuge had a turbulent relationship, that Nkuna had used Rasuge’s cellphone and withdrew money from her account days after she went missing.
The court accepted all the evidence given by state witnesses. Hendricks said the lack of a body in the case in no way detracted from the circumstantial evidence pointing to the fact that Nkuna had killed the constable.
The Ministry of Safety and Security and African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) welcomed Nkuna’s conviction.
”Today justice has been done, William Nkuna has been convicted. We are happy but sad, sad because we have not been able to find the body of Frances Rasuge. Happy because the first chapter of this case is sealed, we will never forget her,” Deputy Minister of Safety and Security Susan Shabangu said.
”Now that the first chapter of this case has been concluded we will focus our efforts on finding Frances Rasuge’s body, so that we can bury her in the normal and respected manner and bring closure to this matter.”
Shabangu thanked the public for their support of Rasuge’s colleagues and family.
”To the members of different churches, especially his worship, Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane of Zion Christian Church, this country would like to thank you for your support.
”We also would like to thank the members of the media for following all the leads and continuing to update the country. You are a valuable member of our society.”
The ANCWL congratulated ”all investigators who worked tirelessly” to ensure the conviction of Nkuna.
”As the ANCWL, we believe that the judiciary acted in our favour as struggling women of this country, and we appeal with it to continue supporting abused women of this country.” ‒ Sapa